Then vs. Now: What History Teaches Us About Building Faster

From the Empire State Building to the Panama Canal, history is full of examples where massive projects were built at astonishing speed. So why does it feel like construction today takes longer than ever? In this episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Connor Watumull, Co-Founder and CEO of Miter, for a wide-ranging conversation on the pace of building. Together, they trace how regulation, compliance, financing, and an explosion of paperwork reshaped the industry—from a world of engineer’s notes and political green lights to today’s gauntlet of permits, pay apps, lien waivers, safety reports, and inspections. Connor shares what’s been gained, what’s been lost, and how we can strike the right balance between speed, safety, and accountability. Looking ahead, he paints a vision of how better systems and smarter technology could help contractors cut through red tape, unlock innovation, and get back to what they do best: building.Connor Watumull is Co-Founder and CEO of Miter, a comprehensive platform transforming how contractors manage people, projects, and payments. With deep expertise in construction technology and business operations, Connor focuses on streamlining the complex regulatory and administrative challenges facing modern contractors. His work at Miter addresses the growing paperwork burden that has become a significant barrier to construction efficiency and growth. Connor brings a unique perspective on how technology can help the industry balance necessary compliance requirements with the need for speed and scalability in an increasingly regulated construction environment.Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode! Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects.  Discussion points: (00:00) The shocking comparison between historic subway projects and today's timelines (05:23) Why gear closets and legal codes have surprising similarities (06:37) Historical mega-projects that would be impossible to build today (12:01) The paperwork marathon contractors face before breaking ground (16:01) How Texas and China became the future of fast infrastructure (19:45) Lessons from Brooklyn Bridge builders that modern contractors need